DSSRC Administrative Closure #96

The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (“DSSRC”) contacted a direct selling company (“Company”) regarding three Facebook posts disseminated by salesforce members that included claims that the Company’s products can assist in treating a number of serious health-related conditions including, but not limited to, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease and Multiple Sclerosis.

The first post at issue included a consumer testimonial regarding the successful diminishment of tremors caused by Parkinson’s disease after using the product. The second post stated that the Company’s product could help treat a number of health-related conditions that were referenced in more than a dozen hashtags which accompanied the post. The third social media post listed the purported health benefits that could be realized by consumers using the Company’s product with respect to a plethora of serious health-related conditions (e.g., Parkinson’s Disease, Heart Disease, Diabetes, etc.,).

Immediately after receiving the self-regulatory inquiry, the Company contacted DSSRC and explained that the claims communicated by the salesforce members were unauthorized and in violation of the Company’s compliance policies. Accordingly, the Company was able to contact the salesforce members responsible for the posts and promptly had the posts disabled.   

DSSRC agreed that in the absence of reliable, competent scientific evidence that would provide support for health-related claims, the Company’s actions to have the posts immediately removed were necessary and appropriate. Based upon the Company’s good faith actions to promptly address DSSRC’s concerns, the inquiry was administratively closed

(closed on 10/19/2020)